Pendulum toy



June 113, 1%? G. EVERETT 3,324,556

PENDULUM TOY Filed July 25,. 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 mvzsmoa GEORGE EVERETT BY a ATTORNEY June 13, H96? (3. EVERETT 3,324,556

PENDULUM TOY Filed July 25, 1966 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GEORGE EVERETT V ATTORNEY G. EVERETT Junie 11s, 16?

PENDULUM TOY 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed July 25, 1966 al/W m an INVENTOR.

GEORGE EVERETT 3,324,556 PENDULUM TOY George Everett, Burlington, Unionville, Conn, assignor to Gros-lte Industries, Inc, Farmington, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Filed July 25, 1966, Ser. No. 567,749 Claims. (Cl. 3327) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pendulum toy scribing apparatus for producing a wide variety of designs, on a worksheet having a weighted base positionable on a worktable. A worksheet platform is disposed above and parallel to the base and interconnected linkage means, extending parallel to and above the platform, is universally attached to pendulums which in turn are pivotally attached to the platform. A scribing device is attached to the linkage means at the interconnection for working engagement with a worksheet on the platform.

The invention relates to improvements in a pendulum toy of the type disclosed in Worthington Patent No. 1,869,951, Aug. 2, 1932.

The toy disclosed in the Worthington patent is capable of producing a wide variety of interesting and attractive designs. The Worthington device, however, has a number of limitations. It must be mounted on the corner of a table or the like, and a clamp is required to connect the device to the table. The clamp may mar the finish of the table. The Worthington device requires that the table or support to which it is secured shall serve as the support for the paper which is to receive the design. The Worthington device is somewhat heavy and cumbersome; also, it takes up a substantial volume when packaged for shipment.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a pendulum toy which may be positioned for operation upon a table or other supporting surface along any portion adjacent the edge of the table or the like and without necessitating connection to the table or supporting surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toy of the type under consideration which furnishes its own support for the paper which is to have the designs inscribed thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pendulum toy which is economically manufactured.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pendulum toy which in its disassembled state takes up a comparatively small space whereby the device may be conveniently packed in a package of comparatively small volume, the device being quickly and readily assembled for operation.

These, and other objects and advvantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the toy;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device; and

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken approximately in the planes of lines 33 of FIG. 2.

A pendulum toy made in accordance with the invention comprises a platform 10 having a pair of laterally spaced extensions 12, 12 projecting forwardly of the platform. As shown in FIG. 1, the extensions 12, 12 lie in the same horizontal plane. As shown in FIG. 3, the common plane of the extensions is below the plane of the top surface of the platform 10. In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention, the extensions 12, 12' are formed integrally with the platform 10, the extensions being connected to each other and to the platform by a downwardly extending intermediate apron portion 114. The platform and the extensions are molded of plastic material as a unitary structure, it being preferable to mold the piece of a polystyrene composition, a polypropylene composition or the like to provide a molded part which is substantially rigid and of relatively light weight. The platform is adapted to support a plurality of sheets of paper 15 thereon.

As shown in FIG. 3, the underside of the platform has a plurality of downwardly extending projections 16 molded as a part thereof for a purpose to be subsequently described. Preferably, three projections are provided, two which are laterally spaced at the forward underside of the platform, and one centrally on the underside at the rear of the platform. The projections are molded with central cavities 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, the platform 10 and the extensions 12, 12 extending forwardly thereof furnish a bifurcated structure with the extension portions 12, 12' angled to diverge with respect to a central line projected across the platform intermediate the extensions. The extensions 12, 12' are each longitudinally slotted at 22, 22 so that respective pendulums 24, 24 may be extended through the slots. Means cooperable with the extensions 12, 12' are provided for pivotally mounting the pendulums. For this purpose, and as shown in FIG. 2, hemispherical or open ihearings 28, 28 are molded in the extensions 12, 12' to extend on each side of a slot. The bearings receive the pivot pins 26, 26' which are extended through openings formed in tthe respective pendulums at appropriate places along their lengths. The pendulums are provided with respective weights 39, 30. To permit adjustment of the weights up and down on the pendulum, respective clips 32, 32 are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the toy is assembled for operation, the top end of each pendulum is positioned in a plane above the top surface of the platform for cooperation with arms 34, 34. Each arm is connected at its forward end to the top of a respective pendulum. As shown in FIG. 1, the arms 34, 34' are respectively provided at their forward ends with knob-like portions 36, 36 having sockets 38, 38' formed or molded on the underside to receive respective ball portions 40, 40 formed at the upper ends of the pendulums. The ball and socket connections permit the arms and the pendulums to be readily connected after the pendulums have been pivotally mounted in the open bearings provided at 26, 26' in the slotted extension-s. The arms 34, 34 are pivotally connected to each other at their opposite or rear ends as by means of a removable connecting pin 42.

Preferably, the arms 34, 34' are made by molding a plastic material such as a polystyrene composition or a polypropylene composition whereby the knob portions 36, 36' and the sockets 38, 38 formed thereon may be made in a single molding operation. The arms thus fabricated are rigid and of light Weight. One of the arms, such as the arm 34 as shown in FIG. 2, is provided with means 44 for holding a writing instrument 46. The writing instrument may be a pen, a pencil or a stylus of any suitable kind. Preferably, the holder 44 is also made integral with the arm and this is accomplished when the part is made by molding a suitable plastic material as above indicated.

When the pendulums 24, 24' and their weights 30, 30' are pivotally mounted within the slotted extensions 12, 12', and with the arms 34, 34' assembled and connected to the pendulums, the weight or mass is on the front side of the assembly acting to pull the assembly down. In order to counterbalance the weight of the pendulums, and additionally to support the platform, a hollow base 48 is provided. The base 48 is in the form of a container which is formed to receive a material which will provide sufficient weight to counterbalance the weight of the pendulums.

As shown in FIG. 3, the base 48 is preferably made by molding two parts 50 and 52 of a suitable plastic material such as a polystyrene composition. The container halves are connected at their peripheral edges, at 54, as by cementing. The top part 52 is molded with an opening as provided by a nipple portion 53 to allow filling the base with water or any other weight-providing substance or material. A cap 56 may be placed over the nipple after filling the base.

As illustrated, the hollow container base 48 has a shape or configuration so that most of the water will be located at the rear of the base and of the platform, thereby providing most effective counterbalance for the horizontal dimensions of the base. The base may be molded with a pair of laterally spaced legs 58, 58 at the front and a central leg 60 at the rear. The legs are adapted to engage the top surface of any suitable table or support 62.

As also illustrated in FIG. 3, the top wall 63 of the base is molded with spaced integral projections 64 having central cavities 66. The projections 64 are the same in number as the projections 16 on the platform and are located for vertical alignment with the platform projections. The cavities of the platform projections and of the base projections are adapted to receive means, such as rods 68, for supporting the platform above the base. The rods are, of course, of equal length so that the platform 10 will be level when the platform and its associated parts are assembled with the base.

The operation of the described assembled device is essentially the same as in the aforementioned Worthington patent. When the pendulums 24, 24 are set in motion, the writing instrument 46 has motion imparted thereto to scribe a design on a sheet of paper positioned upon the platform 10.

The assembly of the parts as above described is the result of assembling the separate parts which may be readily packed in a small package for shipment. The pendulums 24 and 24 may be made of two or more sections. For this purpose, the ends of the sections may be threaded and adjacent sections connected to one another by internally threaded sleeves 64, as shown in FIG. 3. The pivot pins 26, 26' are readily extended through the pendulums for assembly with the platform 10 and its integrally formed extensions 12, 12' constituting a single piece. The arms 34, 34, with one arm having the writing instrument holding means formed thereon, are separate pieces which are readily assembled with the pendulums by the described ball and socket connections. The base 48 is a separate part which is readily assembled with the platform 110 and its associated member portions 12, 12' by means of the separate rods 68. The weights 30, 30' may be readily assembled or disassembled from the sectioned pendulums. The platform and its associated parts, the hollow base, and the arms being made of molded plastic material are of light weight and consume a comparatively small volume in packing. Also, the pendulums or the sections thereof may be made of lightweight plastic rod. The water to supply the counterbalancing weight is, of course, readily available at the point of use of the toy after it has been assembled.

It will be apparent that the described base and its rela' tionship to the platform and the pendulums is such that the device may be assembled on top of any table or support which is of a suflicient height to allow swinging of the pendulums. A clamp to connect the device to a table or support is not necessary. Any part of the table along a longitudinal edge thereof may be used to support the assembly.

It is believed that the advantages and improvements of the invention will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as sought to be defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A pendulum toy comprising a platform, a pair of spaced, slotted extensions projecting from the platform, a pendulum positioned to extend through the slot in each extension, means cooperable with each extension for pivotally mounting each pendulum, the top ends of the pendulums being positioned in a plane above the top surface of the platform, a pair of arms, each arm being connected at one end to the top of a respective pendulum, the arms being pivotally connected to one another at their opposite ends over the platform, means on one of the arms for holding a writing instrument, a base adapted to receive a weight-providing material to counterbalance the weight of the pendulums, and means for supporting and connecting the platform above and to the base.

2. A pendulum toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the platform and pair of spaced, slotted extensions projecting from the platform are integrally molded of a plastic material.

3. A pendulum toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the platform and pair of spaced slotted extensions projecting from the platform are integrally molded of a plastic material, the slotted extensions each being provided with an open bearing molded therein to receive a pin for pivotally mounting each pendulum.

4. A pendulum toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the base comprises a hollow container formed of plastic material and having an opening to allow entry of the weight-providing material, the container being shaped to locate the major portion of the weight-providing material rearwardly of the container and of the platform.

5. A pendulum toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top of each pendulum is provided with a ball and each arm is provided with a cooperating socket.

6. A pendulum toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top of each pendulum is provided with a ball; wherein each arm is molded of a plastic material, each arm being molded to provide a socket cooperable with the ball on each pendulum.

7. A pendulum toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for supporting the platform above the base comprises a plurality of spaced rods connecting the platform to the base.

8. A pendulum toy as set forth in claim 7, wherein the platform and base are molded of plastic material and with a plurality of aligned projections formed to receive said spaced rods, and said spaced rods extending between pairs of aligned projections.

9. A pendulum toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the platform and pair of spaced slotted extensions projecting from the platform are integrally molded of a plastic material, the slotted extensions each being provided with an open bearing molded therein to receive a pin for pivotally mounting each pendulum; wherein the hollow base comprises a hollow container formed of plastic material and having an opening to allow entry of a weight-providing material, the container being shaped to locate the 5 major portion of the weight-providing material rearwardly of the container and of the platform.

10. A pendulum toy as set forth in claim 9, wherein the top of each pendulum is provided with a ball; wherein each arm is molded of a plastic material, each arm being molded to provide a socket cooperable with the ball on each pendulum; and wherein the platform and the base are molded with spaced pairs of aligned projections formed to receive supporting rods, and supporting rods extended between pairs of aligned projections.

6 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS LEONARD FORMAN, Primary Examiner. H. N. HAROIAN, Examiner. 

1. A PENDULUM TOY COMPRISING A PLATFORM, A PAIR OF SPACED, SLOTTED EXTENSIONS PROJECTING FROM THE PLATFORM, A PENDULUM POSITIONED TO EXTEND THROUGH THE SLOT IN EACH EXTENSION, MEANS COOPERABLE WITH EACH EXTENSION FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTED EACH PENDULUM, THE TOP ENDS OF THE PENDULUMS BEING POSITIONED IN A PLANE ABOVE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE PLATFORM, A PAIR OF ARMS, EACH ARM BEING CONNECTED AT ONE END TO THE TOP OF A RESPECTIVE PENDULUM, THE ARMS BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO ONE ANOTHER AT THEIR OPPOSITE ENDS OVER THE PLATFORM, MEANS ON ONE SIDE OF THE ARMS FOR HOLDING A WRITING INSTRUMENT, A BASE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A WEIGHT-PROVIDING MATERIAL TO COUNTERBALANCE THE WEIGHT OF THE PENDULUMS, AND MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND CONNECTING THE PLATFORM ABOVE AND TO THE BASE. 